Geek or Chic -- Big Moai Tissue Dispenser

It's been a while since we've had a geek or chic entry around these parts, so it was in good time that I found this crazy product. It may not fit in a kitchen, but would it fit in your bathroom? Perhaps this says more about you than you think. I'm not sure much more needs to be said, but what do you think? Geek or chic?

Big Moai Tissue Dispenser available right here for about $42.

Geek or Chic? Pipette Tableware

Things that find an intersection between scientific labware and dinnertime place settings always seem to catch my eye--perhaps not so much for my own interest, but because I spent a good chunk of the last 6 years either doing science or surrounding myself with scientists and engineers. Regardless of reason, I'm drawn to these interesting oil and vinegar bottles over at Design House Stockholm, which are modeled after lab pipettes. At the very least, they're probably fun for making beautiful presentations when entertaining! I think I may be more prone to gift them to some of the aforementioned engineer friends that put them on my own table, but they're certainly not lacking in either geekness or chicness. What do you think?



Pipette Oil and Vinegar Bottles by Camilla Kropp, $59

Geek or Chic? Calendar Tape

My most recent Geek or Chic--the twittering plants--came to some very mixed reviews, with many writing in to express simultaneous amusement of the concept and dismay at the exceedingly ridiculous $100 pricetag. However, today's Geek or Chic rings in at a budget friendly $12 for ultra organizational power!


A rather clever little invention, this calendar tape comes in two rolls--one for days and one for dates. Aligned to create an accurate calendar, they can be stuck onto basically any surface, such as notebooks, planners, refrigerators, recipe books, or even perishable goods. $12 buys both rolls of tape and a smudge-proof marker, which definitely isn't bad, but I'm not 100% sold on the aesthetic here. A customizable color palette (I'm thinking neon pink or turquoise) would be a nice future feature, but for now, what do you say? Geek or Chic?

Geek or Chic? Twittering Plants

It's been a while since we've had a viable candidate for Geek or Chic around here, but my friend Q sent a great tip along today that fit the bill perfectly. This little gadget has a spoke the gets dug into your potted plants, recording their water levels and other vitals. With its uber-geeky component, it creates a Twitter identity for the plant and sends updates depending on its needs--"water me, please!" or "give me sunlight!" might be silly Tweets, but they're mighty useful when you're stuck in an office looking at a computer all day.




So, what do you say? Geek or chic?

Miracle Berries for Taste Tripping Parties -- Madness!

Today I bring you something that will revolutionize the way you think of tripping. And no, I'm not talking about drugs, per se--I am, however, talking about totally distorting your senses. But in a completely natural, completely legal way. And by distorting all your senses, I really mean, distorting your taste buds. I'm almost in disbelief at home something this cool could be so closely within my reach for so long without my knowing it.

See, these "miracle berries" are farmed in few places around the world, but one of the main farmers shares an area code with me. That's right, the taste altering berries are harvested right in my home county. But alas, the only website selling fresh miracle fruit I've found (the Miami farmer only sells by phone order) takes orders from the UK.



So what do the miracle berries do? Eat one and everything sour will suddenly taste sweet. Everything sweet will suddenly be sweeter! Eat a lime whole, you won't squirm. Even if you're not like me and hate eating sour fruits. People talk about "tasting parties" where you buy a bunch of these and have everyone bring foods whose tastes can be significantly altered by the magic. Sounds like a crazy time!


If you don't want to order the fruit from a random farm, click here for miracle berry dust, which has the same effects in powder form. It's madness, madness I tell you!!

Totally Chic or Totally Geek?

In this installment of Totally Chic of Totally Geek, we analyze the relative coolness of the latest geektastic gadget--a lemon-powered clock!

I'm loving the design on Anna Gram's citric timepiece, but the very practicality of it raises a bit of a question mark for me. And how long does a lemon battery last, anyway? Does it make the house smell at all? How well can you see the time from necessary perspectives? Sigh, if only I could let the thing just be pretty.


What do you think?